What is England's founding myth? Does anyone get excited about 1066? Which English nationalism on the march, people are getting nervous. Why do the English get queasy about flying the flag. And why do we keep making a joke of it? James Cary, Stand-Up Theologian, talks to Rhys Laverty about all of the above, and the even more awkward idea about being a Christian country. Can open. Worms everywhere! Enjoy! And comment. Why not join the podcast's new and experimental Facebook Group?Clips from the show: Fry and Laurie & That Australian stand up: James Donald Forbes McCannRhys Laverty writes about God is an Englishman for First Things.Rhys on how the English don’t take themselves seriously (because of the English Civil War) at The New Albion blog.Interested in Englishness? Follow Cary’s Almanac:https://jamescary.substack.com
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What is the Gospel according to (the Life of) Brian?
The really controversial message of the Life of Brian is not what we think it is. Can we talk about the gospel that Brian actually preaches, which seems to be gospel the Pythons believed. How as that stood the test of time?In this episode, James Cary talks to evangelist, author and YouTuber, Glen Scrivener, one of the few men who can quote Life of Brian, Douglas Adams and Aquinas in the same breath. It turns out that Life of Brian comes from the same era as Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Terry Pratchett gets dragged into the discussion and before long, we’re wondering what mankind even is. And whether we’ve been living in a blip. Glen also reveals how Jimmy Carr owes it all to him. Divine Comedy - Human Tragedy: What is life?James wrote about watching the Life of Brian with his kids here:Christian Smith on Aaron Renn’s podcast talking about the collapse of trust in mainstream religion in the 1990s here.
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Is Atheism Funny Any More?
Stand Up Theologian, James Cary asks Dr. Andy Bannister: Is atheism funny anymore? In returning to his book The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist for a 10th anniversary edition, Andy reflects on how things have changed since the days of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and the “new atheism.” What can we learn from comedy landmarks like Life of Brian, Father Ted, Ricky Gervais, or the contrast between The Simpsons and Family Guy? Why are comedians so often drawn to religion, and can humour really open the door to deeper reflection? Even sceptics like David Baddiel and Douglas Murray admit to yearning for God—why do they never seem to get there? Plus, there's an intriguing story about John Newton’s doubts about his conversion.Here's the clip of Comedian Pete Holmes.If you like jokes and the Bible, you really should check out The Wycliffe Papers!
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Is Your Life a Movie or a Sitcom?
In the very first episode, James Cary, the Stand-Up Theologian, is joined by former Popcorn Parenting podcast co-host Nate Morgan Locke for a lively conversation that jumps from Back to the Futureand Star Wars Episode I to sitcoms, storytelling, and even evangelistic preaching. Along the way, James confesses he only cares about story for the jokes—one reason he became a comedy writer—and explains why he loves jazz but not Charlie Parker. Nate tackles the monomyth, Into the Woods, and Save the Cat, before asking whether life is more like a movie or a sitcom, what you’d wish for if you met a genie, and why sitcom specials always send the cast on holiday. We also explore what links Just William to Porridge, why sitcoms are not movies, and how to overcome “main character syndrome,” all while reflecting on last episodes, franchises, and the peculiar art of storytelling. Nate explains why Narnia is a TERRIBLE franchise:James talks Clement and Frenais about Porridge and Just William:If you want episode 2 with Dr Andy Bannister on whether Atheism is funny any more, become a Loyal Lollard via The Wycliffe Papers. HERE.
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The Stand-Up Theologian?
Welcome to the Stand-Up Theologian podcast with James Cary.Find James's professional writing credits HERE.And read the latest headlines from the Wycliffe Papers HERE.
James Cary, BBC comedy writer, author and touring stand-up theologian is on a never-ending quest to understand comedy, the Bible, culture and the church.
UK